AMAZON ACTION: The online retailer has moved to block the sale of illegal streaming boxes

Amazon is taking firm action in the fight against copyrighted content.

The online retailer has confirmed it has blocked sales of all media player that can be used to access pirated streams and copyright-protected material for free.

Although the online retailer has never openly permitted the sale of such devices, users have been able to find them on the digital shelves of the US company.

The company has confirmed that retailers that float the new regulations could have stocked held within Amazon’s fulfilment centres destroyed.

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The move is the latest step in an increased effort to block the rise of copyrighted content from software-enhanced set-top and streaming boxes.

Kodi is one example of software that can be used to power these “pirate” media players.

Although Kodi itself is perfectly legal software that lets users access all of their legitimate online content in a single place, it can be built on by third-party add-ons.

These software plug-ins, allow users to access a variety of pirated and copyright-protected content without paying, floating a number of laws in the process.

Although Kodi doesn’t actually make the hardware, the third-party devices have colloquially been dubbed Kodi boxes.

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It is estimated that more than 20 million devices currently run Kodi software in the UK.

Although the best known, Kodi is far from the only software to offer such services.

Amazon’s latest move is targeting those who are selling the enhanceable hardware.

“Products offered for sale on Amazon should not promote, suggest the facilitation of, or actively enable the infringement of or unauthorised access to digital media or other protected content,” the retailer has stated.

“Any streaming media player or other device that violates this policy is prohibited from sale on Amazon.”

Speaking with sellers, the retailer added: “It is your responsibility to source and sell products that do no promote, promise the facilitation of, or actively enable the infringement of or unauthorised access to digital media or other protected content.

“If you sell these products, we may immediately suspend or terminate your selling privileges and destroy inventory in our fulfilment centres without reimbursement.

“In addition, if we determine that your account has been used to engage in fraud or other illegal activity, remittances and payments may be withheld or forfeited.”

Amazon is not alone in its anti-piracy push, the Premier League recently took a hard stance against those streaming its matches without paying.

Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesperson for the Premier League said: “The Premier League is currently engaged in its largest ever anti-piracy campaign to protect its copyright.

“Like other sports and creative industries our model is predicated on the ability to market and sell rights and protect our intellectual property.

"It is because of this that clubs can invest in and develop talented players, build world-class stadiums, support the English football pyramid and schools and communities across the country – all things that fans enjoy and wider society benefits from.”